Spurrier: Garcia decision to come during summer

Spurrier said during the SEC's annual spring teleconference Wednesday that he's stayed in contact with Garcia, who was suspended for the fifth time in his career for a behavior issue.

The Head Ball Coach also said he wants his QB back — and possibly when.

"Hopefully it'll work out that he'll back with us with maybe a lot better attitude than he's ever had," Spurrier said. "It'll be a university decision, probably happen sometime during the summer."

For Garcia to get back in the good graces of the school, Spurrier said he'd have to meet several unknown requirements.

"We'll have to check his progress and see how he's reacting to some certain issues the athletic director, the president and I, we've all three started giving him some guidelines. We'll see how he follows through."

Garcia, who threw for 3,059 yards, 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while leading USC to an SEC East title in 2010, ranks third all-time on the school's passing yards list.

He missed two weeks of spring practice because of suspensions for two different incidents. The second was handed down April 6 by athletic director Eric Hyman and is indefinite. There are reports that the transgression occurred during an SEC-mandated seminar for student-athletes, yet nothing has been confirmed by the school or Garcia.

Spurrier said Garcia is on pace to graduate in May, giving him another option.

"With his degree in hand, obviously he's eligible to play anywhere in the country and he's got another year remaining," Spurrier said.

However, there's no indication at this time that Garcia is looking to play elsewhere, and some of his teammates have publicly stood behind him through the latest ordeal.

"We may not agree with the decisions that he made, actions that he did, but we're still a family and we still work hard," running back Kenny Miles said after USC's spring game April 9. "At the end of the day we're still brothers and we're all fighting for the same common goal."

Garcia has continued to be active. Earlier this week, he worked out with former receiver Tori Gurley, who's enrolled early for the NFL draft.

Should things not work out for Garcia, Spurrier is ready to hand the keys over to rising sophomore Connor Shaw.

"Certainly if Stephen doesn't make it back we have complete confidence Connor Shaw can run this offense and be a very good quarterback," Spurrier said. "We just think he needs a lot of playing time, a lot of snaps."

Noted; Spurrier said Wednesday he's looking forward to the incoming freshmen class and that he reminded his coaches that the team, especially at special teams, will look different.

"Our team is not what it's going to be until September rolls around and we get ready for the first game against East Carolina," he said.